Poem
lives
inside
a little ... "
Having spent many of my teaching years in a kindergarten classroom I can definitely attest to the scenes and moments captured in this inspired collection of 20 poems. Sharon Bramer spent time as a lunchroom volunteer with kindergarten children. She shares her many observations in varied poetic forms that speak to the nature of these matchless young learners.
"Being a lunchroom supervisor in a
kindergarten room involves container
opening, orange peeling, snowsuit detangling
and mitten hunting. It is a social time for
the students, where tender and hilarious
conversations abound."
Using her skill as a writer, the time they spent sharing poetry, and the children's genuine interest in creating a poem that reflected their feelings and their thinking, Ms. Bramer hones in on what really matters to a five-year-old. Family stories, wishes, feelings, animals, toys and special interests all find their way into the chosen poems.
Everything is varied, in keeping with the children whose ideas are shared: length, subject, poetic form, conventional writing essentials, and the way of thinking. Each was inspired by one of the children in the class, and is fully expressive of the way they presented their ideas.
"Eleanor's Poem
This poem doesn't like wearing shoes,
just like Eleanor.
This poem would rather eat the cookie before the carrot,
just like Eleanor.
This poem has had a sore throat all week,
just like Eleanor.
This poem is tired of wearing a pink snowsuit,
just like Eleanor.
This poem will not sit on the carpet,
and Eleanor won't either.
This poem is funny and determined
(to make you smile),
just like Eleanor."
If you have worked with kindergarten kids, you know Eleanor!
Having spent many of my teaching years in a kindergarten classroom I can definitely attest to the scenes and moments captured in this inspired collection of 20 poems. Sharon Bramer spent time as a lunchroom volunteer with kindergarten children. She shares her many observations in varied poetic forms that speak to the nature of these matchless young learners.
"Being a lunchroom supervisor in a
kindergarten room involves container
opening, orange peeling, snowsuit detangling
and mitten hunting. It is a social time for
the students, where tender and hilarious
conversations abound."
Using her skill as a writer, the time they spent sharing poetry, and the children's genuine interest in creating a poem that reflected their feelings and their thinking, Ms. Bramer hones in on what really matters to a five-year-old. Family stories, wishes, feelings, animals, toys and special interests all find their way into the chosen poems.
Everything is varied, in keeping with the children whose ideas are shared: length, subject, poetic form, conventional writing essentials, and the way of thinking. Each was inspired by one of the children in the class, and is fully expressive of the way they presented their ideas.
"Eleanor's Poem
This poem doesn't like wearing shoes,
just like Eleanor.
This poem would rather eat the cookie before the carrot,
just like Eleanor.
This poem has had a sore throat all week,
just like Eleanor.
This poem is tired of wearing a pink snowsuit,
just like Eleanor.
This poem will not sit on the carpet,
and Eleanor won't either.
This poem is funny and determined
(to make you smile),
just like Eleanor."
If you have worked with kindergarten kids, you know Eleanor!
Illustrations created using watercolor, India ink, and digital collage are full of the whimsy and imagination evoked by the author's words. They offer up feelings, dreams, family outings, scares, celebrations and concerns, and perfectly match the poems.
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